Classis East convened in Grace PRC (Standale, MI) at 8:00 am on Wednesday, January 13, and adjourned around 12:30 am early Saturday morning, Jan.16.

Classis mandated that the stated clerk prepare (Rev. C.Spronk) a report summarizing the decisions of the meeting and submit it to the Classical Committee of Classis East for approval. The reason for this mandate is that Classis East understands the importance of providing a helpful summary for the churches. This summary will be published as soon as possible, but it may take a few days due to the length of the meeting, the weightiness and amount of material treated by classis, and the need of the pastors mandated to make and approve this summary to preach sermons tomorrow (Sunday, Jan.17).

We thank the Lord of the church for sustaining the delegates during these long and difficult sessions. May the Lord bless the decisions reached for the glory of His name and the good of the churches of Classis East and the entire PRC.

Let's be in prayer for the PRC and for Classis East as the delegates meet these days at Grace PRC (Jan.13,14), with a heavy work load and serious matters to debate and decide.

As we stand together for the cause of God's covenant and kingdom, may we be consoled by the words of these Psalter numbers, which are prayers as well as praise.

Psalter 60 (Psalm 25)

1. To Thee I lift my soul,
In Thee my trust repose;
My God, O put me not to shame
Before triumphant foes.

2. None shall be put to shame
That humbly wait for Thee,
But those that willfully transgress,
On them the shame shall be. 

3. Show me Thy paths, O Lord,
Teach me Thy perfect way,
O guide me in Thy truth divine,
And lead me day by day. 

4. For Thou art God that dost
To me salvation send,
And patiently through all the day
Upon Thee I attend. 

5. Recall Thy mercies, Lord,
Their tenderness untold,
And all Thy lovingkindnesses,
For they have been of old.

Psalter 160 (Psalm 62)

1. O God, give ear unto my cry,
And to my voice attend;
Though far from home and from Thy house,
To Thee my prayers ascend.

2. When troubles overwhelm my heart,
Then Thou wilt hear my cry,
For safety lead me to the Rock
That higher is than I. 

3. A refuge Thou hast been for me
When storms of trouble lower;
When foes assail, then Thou hast been
My strong defense and tower.

4. Within Thy holy temple, Lord,
I ever will abide;
Beneath the covert of Thy wings
In confidence I hide.

These words from the final Reformed Witness Hour message of 2020 by Rev. W. Bruinsma may also give us confidence in these difficult times:

But there is an even more amazing wonder in this preservation of the church.  That is actually the one expressed by Malachi in the verse we consider.  It is of God’s mercy that we are not consumed.  Malachi calls our attention to the truth that it is a wonder of all wonders that we have not been consumed by God Himself!  Countless times throughout the ages the church has turned away from God and began to follow after the gods of this world.  Think of the time when Israel stood before God at Mt. Sinai and worshiped the golden calf in His sight.  God was filled with wrath.  He told Moses to step aside and He would destroy the entire nation.  It was a wonder that God did not consume the sons of Jacob in His wrath!  And how about during the many years that the judges ruled in Israel?  How often Israel did that which was right in her own eyes.  How often did God send her enemies to come and devour her and her land.  Yet, even when Israel most deserved destruction, God preserved her.  How often Israel turned from the truth and worshiped other gods while in the land of Canaan.  God could very well have consumed her, destroyed her by the hands of the Assyrian and Chaldean Empires.  Instead, the church was taken captive and then later brought back to the land of Canaan.

        Now, having returned to the promised land, Israel again sinned greatly against Jehovah.  Throughout this book the prophet Malachi rebukes her sharply for her sin.  Yet, God continued to preserve His church throughout the 400 years of silence between the Old and New Testaments.  Though times were dark, God preserved His church unto the very birth of Jesus Christ.  Even then, when the Jews turned their backs on the Savior Himself and crucified Him, the Lord preserved His faithful few out of this nation.  God has never destroyed or even forsaken His church! 

        But did not God in His anger consume many in the church?  Maybe God did not destroy the entire nation of Israel, but many in Israel were destroyed by the hand of God, for example, in the wilderness.  How many fell by the wayside in the wilderness and never did see the land of Canaan, and that because of their sins?  How many hundreds of thousands of Israel and Judah were killed when taken captive by Assyria and Babylon?  Did not God consume these sons of Jacob in His wrath against sin?  Ah, this is where we must keep in mind the distinction between true Israel and those of Israel in name only.  Surely, God in His wrath consumed many in the nation of Israel, but these were not His elect people.  They were not true Israel.  God never destroys His faithful people.  Never are they consumed, even when they sin against Him.

        In this we as believers rejoice at the end of another year.  In this past year, you and I have not been consumed in God’s wrath.  Even though we have deserved it.  God has been faithful and has not destroyed us in anger for the sins we have committed against Him.  That is an amazing act of God’s mercy in itself. God gathers His church everywhere in this world.  That church universal has again been kept safe.  The gates of hell have not prevailed against the church.

The following are special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this Sunday, January 10, 2021, the second Lord's Day of this new year 2021.

• Today we once again gather as God's covenant people in worship of our Triune God and Father. May we render to Him the worship of which He alone is worthy. If you are visiting this website and are interested in the PRC, we invite you to join us at any of our services (morning and evening). For congregations and locations, visit this page. But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. Psalm 5:7,8,12
  
  
• Rev. A.Spriensma is to be installed as Cornerstone PRC's (Dyer, IN) new pastor this evening. Rev. J. Smidstra (First PRC, Holland, MI), on classical appointment there today, will lead the installation service. May the Lord grant Rev. Spriensma a faithful and fruitful ministry in that place.
  
  
• The Council of Hudsonville PRC has formed a new trio from which to call thier next pastor: Revs. E.Guichelaar, J.Marcus, and J.Smidstra. A congregational meeting is set for Jan.24 after the evening service.
  
  
• Rev. Dan Holstege (PRC foreign missionary) will give a presentation on the work in the Philippines this evening at 7:45 at Hull PRC (NW Iowa). All in that area are invited.
  
  
• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. J.Smidstra in Cornerstone PRC; Prof. D.Kuiper and Rev. W.Langerak in Hudsonville PRC; Prof. B.Huizinga and Rev. G.Eriks in Kalamazoo PRC; Sem. J.Tan and Rev. D.Noorman in Providence PRC. We thank the Lord for this blessing of our church federation to help one another in this need.
  Let us also remember to pray for the needs of these vacant congregations, including Wingham PRC, which cannot have pulpit supply from the U.S. at this time (pandemic travel restrictions). At present because  of the new COVID-19 lockdown orders in Ontario, the Wingham Consistory has suspended services until the congregation can gather again. Let's remember them in prayer with regard to this too.
  
  
• For those who may still be limited to house worship, whether completely or partially, we invite you to visit the PR churches page and follow the links to the websites where the churches' livestream may be found. Or you may visit the selected audio sermon page and listen to one of your choice there.

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

• Classis East will meet this Wednesday, Jan.13, at Grace PRC. Let us remember to pray for the delegates as they treat the serious matters before them. From the stated clerk comes this special note: 

  There are many questions about visitors attending the sessions of Classis East. Classis East will decide when it meets whether it will treat matters appearing on its agenda in open or closed session. Classis East will also determine whether and how many visitors will be able to sit in on its sessions. The number of visitors will be limited according tothe restrictions set by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.Once Classis makes a decision on these matters, this decision will be released to the clerks of the churches of Classis East and the webmaster for prca.org so that it can be disseminated publicly.

• Missionary-pastor D. Holstege (the Philippines), along with his family, are residing in West Michigan for their six-month missionary furlough in the U.S. (until June 30, 2021). Today in the morning they are in Doon PRC (the calling church), where he will also lead the service. Tonight he will preach in Hull PRC and afterward give a presentation on the work in the Philippines.

Special PRC Seminary Notices:

• Seminary is now in its special interim period between semesters (see next note below). The second semester is set to begin on Tuesday, Jan.19. Continue to remember the seminary's faculty, students, and staff in your prayers.
• Prof. R. Cammenga is teaching the special Interim course this year (January 4-13). It is once again be on the Life and Theology of John Calvin. Regretfully, the seminary will not be allowing auditors for the course this year. But, if you want to listen to the lectures from the last time they were taught, you may go here.
• Sem. Josiah Tan (senior) completed his internship on Jan.1 at First PRC under Rev. C. Griess. He will return for his final semester on Jan.19.
  
• Notice of Licensure: The faculty has licensed student Marcus Wee to speak a word of edification in our churches.  Brother Wee is a member of our sister church, Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church in Singapore.  We rejoice at this milestone in the brother’s preparation for the ministry of the gospel.  Any scheduling of him to lead worship services will be through the seminary faculty.  This also provides us with an opportunity to impress upon our churches and sister churches the great need that we have for students for the ministry.  Let us pray the Lord of the harvest to raise up laborers in His vineyard, Matthew 9:37-38.  For the faculty, Prof. Ron Cammenga, Rector.
• The Fall issue of the PRTS Journal is being completed and prepared for printing. The hope is for later this month.
• For the latest seminary news and information, visit the seminary's website.

PRC, Bulacan, the Philippines

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSIONS NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore: 
  • We rejoice in this good news from this week's "Pastoral Voice" (in her bulletin): In the pass week, we received the approval from the authority that we can proceed with Phase 3 of the reopening of the Church for our worship services. We are indeed thankful to the Lord for His grace and mercy. This means that with some adjustments, the whole church can now come together to worship the Lord on Sunday for both services. What a joy indeed and praise the Lord for His Goodness. Let us all rejoice from our hearts and sing like the Psalmist in Psalm 122:1 - 'I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.' ...With the approval for Phase 3 reopening of the Church and some adjustment needed, the Session decided to start the worship for the whole congregation on 24 January.
  • The December 2020 issue of "Reformed News Asia" was just published (#63). Read that issue here.
  • A new issue of Salt Shakers magazine (for young people) is also out - read the December 2020 at this link.
• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland and her Limerick, Ireland mission:
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word to the saints in Ballymena as they are allowed at present to worship.
  • Be sure to read the latest issue of the "Covenant Reformed News" - December 2020!
  • While Ireland is under lockdown at present, Rev. M.McGeown once again is ministering the Word virtually.
    
  • Rev.McGeown has penned a December 2020 newsletter for his fellow saints. You may find that here.
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  
  • Berean PRC bulletin today: Rev. D.Kleyn led the services today, as they are allowed to meet in person (up to 50%). Rev. Ibe is scheduled to preach today in Provident PRC in both of their services by Classical appointment.
    
  • From Maranatha PRC bulletin today: Rev. R.Smit is leading the online services today. The government extended again Metro Manila and nearby provinces under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ).
    

  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. V.Ibe is bringing the gospel there today, as they meet in person.

  • PRCP Seminary News: The seminary is taking the PRC Seminary's (USA) Interim course on John Calvin from Jan.5-14. The students watch the videos of the recorded lectures and Revs. Kleyn and Smit lead the students in discussion of the subjects. The students are also asking Prof. R. Cammenga questions each day, which he answers at the beginning of the next lecture.

Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!

• Rev. W. Bruinsma (Pittsburgh PRC) is delivering the messages on the program at present (Oct.2020 - Jan 2021). Today he brings a message based on 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 titled "All Things Are Yours."
  
• Listen to the broadcast on the station near you, on your favorite podcast (Google Music, Spotify, and iTunes), or visit the links provided here to listen to this program. Have you listened lately?
• The Reformed Witness Hour publishes each month's messages in an attractive booklet. These printed sermons are a great blessing to many and are distributed all over the world, including to many prisoners in the U.S. If you or your Evangelism Commitee would like to receive these, let the RWHC know and they will add you to the mailing list (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
  

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REFORMED RESOURCES FOR EDIFICATION, EDUCATION, and EVANGELISM:

Looking for some 'meaty' reading in this new year? Check out this title at the RFPA website, as well as others!

• For sound, distinctively Reformed literature on a variety of subjects and for all ages - including church history and Bible study materials - visit the Reformed Free Publishing Association website or stop in at their Jenison (Michigan) location.
  
  
• Be sure to check out the Reformed Book Outlet in downtown Hudsonville, MI and online! As a reminder, their hours of business are currently Tuesday 10-1, Wednesday 1-5, and Saturday 10-1, or send your order to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• Want to learn more about the doctrines and practices of the PRC? Or, are you in need of some pamphlets and/or articles published by the PRC for use in evangelism and/or witnessing? Or are you simply interested in growing in your faith and walk with the Lord? Visit the Resources pages of this website and the PRCA Evangelism page for a complete list of materials available in digital format or by order from the publishing church.
  

This Week's Thought for Contemplation:

The Race (Hebrews 12)

A cloud of witnesses surrounds:
Those who have run;
Those who by faith have won
The victors' crowns.

Now you must run His course.
Lift up your feeble hands,
Your strengthless knees. Before you stands
The Savior, your faith's Source.

Author and Finisher He is;
Look unto Him your spent strength to renew.
He gives the eagles' wings to you.
You shall not weary grow - the race is His.

Already He the victory has won.
His life He has laid down
To gain for you a crown.
Rise up with joy and run!

Throw off the weight that would delay.
Lay at the foot of Calvary's tree
The sin that would a hindrance be.
Go on your way!

The laurel wreath awaits him that endures
And Jesus Christ your victory assures.
His chastening hand supplies
Your healing exercise.

You shall not faint but thrive,
So for the finish strive.
You are His chosen one,
So run!

-- Suzanne Looyenga

Taken from the booklet "Good News for the Afflicted"